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We would like to express our gratitude to Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation for awarding Bedford Community Christmas Station a very generous grant in the amount of $8,000! This exciting contribution made it possible to purchase 64 pairs of back-to-school shoes for our Shoes for Students program. We are also thrilled to be able to use the funds to purchase a storage building which will become known as our “bike barn”. Additionally, we are looking forward to utilizing funds from this grant to purchase Christmas gifts and food for the families that will be served through our Christmas Selection Express (CSX) in December.

Presidents Message

Bedford Community Christmas Station began as an idea when a group of local citizens gathered together on March 8, 2006 to discuss a new way to provide assistance to low-income families at Christmas. The people in attendance represented local agencies, organizations, churches, and businesses, many of which had provided Christmas assistance programs in the past. At the meeting on March 8, it was agreed that it would be easier to reach the families in need, without duplicating efforts, if we combined our energies and resources into one program in one location.

Setting up a county-wide Christmas assistance program required the involvement of the entire community. A Board of Directors was formed and officers were elected. By-laws were written and forms were designed. The County of Bedford offered space for the Christmas Station at 206 Washington Street in Bedford. K & K signs installed a sign in the front window, and Bedford Baptist Church Sunday School Class paid for the sign. J. G. Overstreet, Esquire, submitted Articles of Incorporation to the State Corporation on behalf of the Christmas Station. Stan Bennett, CPA, completed the paperwork necessary for tax-exempt status with the IRS. Shelving and clothing racks were donated by local businesses. And, OneSource Graphics set up this web site!

Dozens of individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and churches made donations that first year to help get Bedford Community Christmas Station up and running. It was a tremendous leap of faith to schedule 262 families to choose gift items for their family members – we believed that the toys, clothes, household items and food would be there when we opened our doors to serve families in December 2006. It was also wonderful to see the hundreds of volunteers that came forward to set up the Christmas Station and serve the families in a dignified and respectful manner.

The Christmas Station has grown slowly but steadily since 2006. In 2010, we began offering workshops to the families that have been accepted for Christmas assistance.In 2012, the Christmas Station moved to a temporary location at 584 Blue Ridge Avenue in Bedford.The following year, Mr. Earl Childers GAVE us the building that serves as our “permanent” home:510 Blue Ridge Avenue.With our expanded space, we were able to expand our services!We added a department for disabled adults and senior citizens.We also added an Easter Eggstra Event and Shoes for Students in August.Additionally, we have been able to add a year-round food pantry that is staffed by our part-time Program Services Coordinator.

It is the goal of the Christmas Station to ensure that every eligible family in Bedford will enjoy a joyful, family-centered Christmas while also meeting other seasonal/year-round needs as our resources allow.With your continued support, that dream will become a reality. Thank you for making our mission possible!

Karen Hughes, Board President

*Support our fundraisers. See our calendar section for upcoming events!Thank you for supporting Bedford Community Christmas Station! If you have any ideas, feedback, or questions, please call Karen Hughes @ 540 492-0382

“Bedford Community Christmas Station is set up like a department store, with sections for infants, girls clothing, boys clothing, teen clothing and gifts, toys, household items and food. All merchandise in the Christmas Station is new, with the exception of gently used coats that will be made available to any shopper that needs one. Each family that is accepted to shop at the Christmas Station also receives a box of food.”

“Bedford Community Christmas Station is an all-volunteer, community-wide, non-profit organization which assists low-income families in the Bedford Community on a seasonal basis by providing a shopping experience characterized by choice and dignity. Serving families with children is our highest priority.